New Jersey has eliminated teacher certification tests as it grapples with a growing teacher shortage, but not everyone agrees with this decision.
At a Glance
- New Jersey waives mandatory teacher certification tests to combat shortage.
- 118 districts approved for a five-year pilot program starting in the fall.
- Newly launched online system speeds up certification.
- Concerns regarding lowered standards among educational experts.
- Significant federal funding (ESSER) will end by 2024, possibly leading to layoffs.
Addressing Teacher Shortage via Legislative Measures
To address teacher shortages, New Jersey has enacted Act 1669, waiving the mandatory basic skills tests for certification. This move aims to expedite hiring by removing the barrier of standardized testing, a move followed by states like New York and California. The New Jersey Education Association supports this initiative, considering the tests barriers for low-income and diverse candidates.
However, the decision has sparked debate. Critics argue that bypassing examinations like the Praxis could diminish education quality. The Praxis test, previously required, measured candidate’s skills to ensure their readiness to teach effectively. The concern is that without these benchmarks, underqualified individuals might inadvertently enter the profession, ultimately impacting the educational system.
New Certification Pathways and Pilot Programs
The state board of education introduced measures to expand teacher pools by allowing entry through alternative routes. If candidates don’t meet GPA or test score requirements, they can still pursue certifications through mentoring and coursework. Starting in the fall, 118 districts will participate in a five-year pilot program. The initiative was sparked by a decline in education school graduates, with fewer than 3,000 in recent data.
“We need more teachers,” – Democratic Sen. Jim Beach
Teacher shortages severely affect fields like ESL, bilingual education, and STEM, both in New Jersey and nationwide. The online certification system now simplifies processes, making application and certification faster and more efficient, aiming to attract more into the profession.
Concerns and the Way Forward
While some analysts appreciate these measures, citing statistics that show New Jersey has the seventh-lowest teacher shortage in the country, concerns about maintaining high educational standards persist. The shortage’s impact is most acute in high-poverty schools, where positions often remain unfilled due to unattractive wages, difficult environments, and weak professional development opportunities.
“an unnecessary barrier to entering the profession.” – New Jersey Education Association
Teacher turnover is another issue plaguing the sector, consuming resources better used elsewhere. Retention improvements are noted, however. Nonetheless, stress levels among teachers are reportedly returning to pre-pandemic levels, according to recent assessments. As federal funding concludes in 2024-25, the effects of this policy shift alongside potential layoffs will need careful observation.
